December 06, 2016

The greatest joys of the holidays often do not come from receiving, they come from giving. Nothing feels more satisfying than giving someone something that truly reflects who they are and how important they are to us. However, we often find ourselves torn between the perfect gift and a not so perfect student budget. You don’t need to comprise either though. Here’s 10 holiday gifts under $30 to help you check off everyone on the list. No affiliations or endorsements of any kind, just some fun items!

November 29, 2016

As a 2016 University of Denver graduate, I had the opportunity to study abroad as a 3rd year Hospitality Management student. I studied at the University of Glasgow in Glasgow, Scotland. I was strategic throughout my college experience so I could make study abroad exactly what I wanted it to be. I took all of my elective courses while abroad, so I could have as much as fun as possible while living in the United Kingdom.

The University of Glasgow itself is idyllic. Walking through the vast campus throughout the city has a way of making one feel as though they have been transported back in time.

While abroad I travelled as much as I could. My first stop was Italy. I have a friend from high school who I met when she travelled to the US to study abroad; she lives in Rome but has a summer home 3 hours north of Rome, in the mountain town of Umbria. We drove through many villages in the Apennines Mountain Range.

My next stop was Paris. I had been to Paris once before and I knew this was where I wanted to turn 21. My family met me in Charles de Gaulle Airport on the morning of November 7th, my 21st birthday. We packed those 6 days to the brim with palaces, tourist destinations, Montmartre and the Moulin Rouge, and of course the only official NFL pub in Europe happens to be a Packer pub, so we stayed an extra night to watch the Packers get killed by the Saints, but how amazing it was to meet Packer fans from all over the world, one block away from Notre Dame.

Shortly after returning from Paris, I hopped on a 28-minute flight to Dublin, Ireland. I met one of my good friends from DU there, she was studying in Belgium. We spent 3 days in Dublin, creating our own pub crawls, getting serenated by male Irish singers, and eating at every food truck we could find. We then took a bus to the opposite coast to see the Cliff of Moher and the town of Galway. We went because we both completely love the movie P.S. I Love You and knew that while in Ireland we had to go to Galway.

Next stop: London, where I met up with another friend who was studying abroad. London was one huge Christmas market in late November, so we meandered the streets, eating candied almonds and chestnuts every chance we got. The sad but true highlight in London however, was the Harry Potter Film Studios. We spent 4 magical hours crying our way through the Harry Potter Warehouses and studio lots while taking in over 200,000 artifacts from the actual films. It was incredible and overwhelming to see such a huge part of my childhood in the flesh. Obsessed? Yes.

While in Scotland I traveled to the town of St. Andrews. This beautiful coastal towns hosts the world’s most famous gold course, as well as the pub where Prince William and Kate Middleton met, and the extreme girl in me needed to see this wildly romantic coffeehouse.

The last trip before returning to America was a long weekend backpacking through southern England. My freshman year roommate, who was also studying in Glasgow, and I took a train down through London and we made our first stop the town of Bath. From Bath, we travelled through the Cotswold’s and into Oxford. From Oxford we hopped on another train to the tiny village of Shere, in Surrey. We went to Shere because being the hopeless romantic that I am, the movie The Holiday is my very favorite movie, and it was filmed in the village of Shere. The White Horse pub plays a significant scene in the movie and I sat in the very same spot as Jude Law in the pub… it was a big deal.

I am incredibly grateful for this experience, and for DU for making the process possible. Studying abroad shaped me into who I am today, and gave me a strong global perspective.

November 22, 2016

Nope, never have and probably never will. So why do I bring this up? Quite simply, to let students know that all those college applications you are filling out are being reviewed by admission offices all over the US. I am pretty positive many of my colleagues at other colleges and universities also lack the talent for mindreading.

You are probably asking yourself. OK… so what does this really mean for me?

Thanks for asking.

I really enjoy learning more about my students and why they are applying to the University of Denver. The college application is your way to introduce yourself, your activities and your academic qualifications to the 3, 5, 7, 10… schools you are considering (oh, and please don’t overdo how many schools you apply to, that topic is for another discussion). So back to your application.... let’s say I am reviewing an application and I look at the student’s transcript and see one really unpleasant semester at the beginning of junior year. This observation would get me thinking about what might have happened that one semester. Everything else looks great and the student’s GPA seems to be on an upward trend.

I look at the counselor recommendation… mmm, a curious student, very involved in activities and leadership… nothing about the off semester.

I look at the teacher recommendations... ok, great motivator for classmates, solid grasp of the material, strong recommendation… that offers a bit of academic insight, but nothing about the lower grades last year.

I look at the student’s application… made the honor roll, taking 2 AP classes senior year… a leader, team captain for basketball, volunteers with best buddies and the food pantry. Pretty active student. I get to the essay… it is about a Habitat for Humanity trip. That’s a nice experience. Hmm… that is it.

So what is missing? AHHAH! The student forgot to explain what happened academically at the end of junior year.

The application can be like a puzzle at times. The clarity comes when your reader has all of the pieces and only you can provide the information that may bridge the gap. It is best not to assume a teacher or counselor will help you out here. This is your application and it is really up to you to tell your story and make sure there are no gaps.

November 15, 2016

The University of Denver (DU) strives to be a campus where community is cultivated and sustained for years to come with the slogan “Pioneer Nation.” Anyone who has attended an information session can confirm the same. Those who make the decision to attend DU enter the campus desiring to build lifelong friendships from day one, and as an international transfer student coming into DU as a junior, this was and remains to be my hope. I, however, have had moments where I have pondered over whether or not this was a façade given my unique situation. Could it be that the friendships that seem indestructible on campus are in fact fragile when distance is placed into the equation? Does the one nation of DU carry on beyond one’s years on campus? It is only natural for some friends to be seasonal in one’s life, but in studying abroad, I have come to see that the DU community is in fact a real deal and it does last.

DU is a medium-sized campus that is not too big and not too small, but “just right” as Goldilocks perhaps would say. It is almost impossible to go through the campus without seeing at least one familiar face. Well, in studying abroad as it turns out, it is also quite possible to run into someone who has been to DU. Let me give a bit of a back story.

I am currently studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium. Within my program, there are two other DU students: one whom I was acquainted to and another whom it took traversing to another continent, let alone country, to meet. What I did not expect, however, was to encounter DU students and/or alumni in about every country I have visited or had a layover in; it truly is a small world. It has been a breath of fresh air to see the almost instant comradery that results from meeting an individual with a DU tie. Stories are immediately shared and contacts exchanged. Plans are made to see each other and later become reality. Previous bonds have strengthened in this journey, eliminating my façade fears. These experiences have warmed my heart to see the community of DU spanning not only beyond the campus, but also beyond the states and borders of the United States (US), giving me a glimpse of the future.

The atmosphere at DU has been strained the past few weeks as certain issues rose to the surface regarding racism, discriminations, and inclusive excellence or lack thereof. Voices that have been quiet have risen to exercise their right to protest and speak out on errors. Involvement from those all over the world with connection to DU has been quite impressive. Yes, these events have been saddening, but I know that this makes DU better. Take, for example, a rug that has been left to accumulate dust. Sooner or later, someone has to take it outside and beat the dust out or it will continue to be a health danger for those around. DU is that rug and the serious issues, like the dust, are not permanent like a stain. It takes putting in the effort to address the issues and to continue to address them to prevent buildup in the future for the health of the DU community. The beating is uncomfortable, but with each uncomfortable conversation, action, and policy reformation, the situation gets better and better for the community’s health.

All nations have times of strife, but we should not let the present diminish the hope of a great future ahead for the DU campus and community. It may not be easy, but just as one looks into the horizon incapable of seeing the end of its beauty, look at DU in the same light with its never-ending oneness. DU is a nation of nations, a nation without borders, and a nation of great potential, hope, and future.

November 08, 2016

A new academic year also means a new year of Pioneer Athletics. While campus is buzzing as the end of fall quarter nears, Pio varsity teams are creating a buzz of their own. Here are a few highlights from the field/ice/court from the quarter thus far:

Men’s Soccer clinched a share of its fourth-straight Summit League title and became the first team in the country since 1977-78 to finish two straight regular seasons unbeaten.

Women’s Volleyball currently boasts a 19-6, 11-2 in the conference, record with three regular season games left before the Summit League Championship.

Pioneer Women’s Soccer made it to the Semifinal round of the Summit League Championship before falling in a thrilling shootout.

Men’s and Women’s Basketball kicked off the season with their annual Basketball Fan Jam. Events included a 3-point challenge, a dunk contest, and half-court shot contest with a student participant. Oh, and did I mention the courtside DJ?

Finally, Men’s Ice Hockey has climbed to #2 in the national polls! The Pios had a rough first weekend dropping the first 2 of 3 games, but have since won 6 in a row.

November 01, 2016

One of my favorite things about Denver is the liveliness of the city; there’s almost always something going on here! This past month has been filled with Oktoberfest and Halloween festivities. With November starting up, there’s a whole new month of fun events to be a part of. One of the first coming up is the Denver Film Festival (DFF). Taking place November 2-13, the Film Festival is an annual event meant to use film to bring people together, using film both as a form of art and as a means of discussing important issues.

Throughout the week, there will be more than 200 films from over 35 countries to watch with tons of fun events to go with the films. For example, the festival has a partnership with the Colorado Restaurant Association, creating a program known as Culinary Cinema. Not only will there be a movie, but food too! The screening of these culinary-themed films will be followed by receptions with food and drink. Another event is the Reel Social Club (RSC) party. RSC, an organization aimed at the next generation of moviegoers and cinema lovers, is hosting an after-party at the Bottling Hall at Great Divide Brewing Co. after the screening of one of the films, Folk Hero & Funny Guy. To top it all off, the Film Festival will even have a number of Red Carpet Presentations, boasting films with standout performances from big name actors like Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, and Ryan Gosling. Essentially, there’s something for everyone, regardless of your interests!

With all of the festivities, it’s important to remember one of the most important parts of the festival: serving as a medium for discussion. A number of the programs during the event center around important themes that require further discussion, and film is a great way to get the discussion going. Women+Film, for example, focuses not only on the achievements of women in the film industry, but shines a light on a number of social issues through cinema and helps foster the discussion around it. CinemaQ has a similar goal, focusing instead on the perspectives of the LGBTQ community and some of the struggles faced within it. Culture is also an important theme in a few of the programs; Focus on Nation Cinema: Spain looks at the culture and history of Spain through films from the past few years and, similarly, CineLatino is a program focusing on celebrating Latino culture from some of the most anticipated films from Mexico and South America. With so many themes, the discussions and impact these films can have is astounding, and an important component to the festival.

Whether you’re looking for a way to pass the time or a diehard film junkie, the Denver Film Festival is a fantastic event to be a part of! More information about the events I talked about (and many more I didn’t mention here) can be found at the DFF website:

October 27, 2016

The latest DU abroad blog, Find your Alp, activates my feelings and memories in a special way. Just one year ago, I was walking to class alongside a hill that faced rainforests, mountains, and jungles. Today, I would be getting ready to travel to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica to stay in a hammock for the weekend. The explanation of self discovery and self proclamation is something I appreciate the most and can relate to on a deeper level. Such discoveries are the small hopes of light that are currently getting me through the last few weeks of this Fall quarter. Cheers to the unexplainable memories that are cultivated through studying abroad and get us through the reality of our lives here.

October 19, 2016

While many of my officemates are traveling around the country and the world visiting high schools, attending college fairs, and meeting with prospective families, I’ve been busy hiring and training two new staff members on the visit team. So, let me introduce you to Meredith and Nicole!

Meredith attended St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul and, after graduation, was selected to be a part of the post-grad Executive Development Program for Macy’s Inc. She has spent the last few years in the corporate customer service industry, most recently as the manager of the largest department in the district, Ready-to-Wear, at Park Meadows. Currently Meredith’s sister is attending DU, and she has an enthusiasm for the University that we are excited to put to work!

Nicole is a recent DU Hospitality Management grad, so we are excited to have one of our own taking good care of our visiting families. After graduating from DU, Nicole spent about a year in the Food and Beverage Manager in Training program as part of Montage Hotels & Resort. She most recently oversaw a team that included seasonal international interns to provide luxurious service and food and beverage options at their fine-dining restaurant, the Apex Restaurant in Park City, UT.

Both of our new team members are excited to bring their corporate experience into our higher education setting and have a passion for the DU mission. I’m excited they're a part of our family.

October 11, 2016

As fall turns the corner, students cozy up with sweaters, football, and pumpkin-spiced everything. Fall also leads the season of spending time with friends and family. Whether you are celebrating Halloween with silly costumes, or simply enjoying the leaves turning colors, there are always recipes to match the mood.

As a true college student, I fine-tune my procrastination when the weather starts to change. Mid-terms are right around the corner and procrasti-baking is in full swing. The following recipes are the best of the best and come highly rated by friends and family. I hope these sweets will inspire you all to embrace your inner baker and enjoy the festivities that come with the fall season.

September 27, 2016

You may have heard rumblings in the media about the 2017-2018 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using “prior-prior year” data. What does this mean? Two things:

You’ll be able to submit the 2017-18 FAFSA beginning on October 1st—a full three months earlier than previous years.

You’ll use tax data from your 2015 tax return to complete the FAFSA, which means you already have everything you need to apply for financial aid!

So what now? Although the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE applications don’t become available until Saturday (October 1st), there are some things you can do now to make the process easier when it’s time to sit down and apply for aid.

Understand the steps to apply. Each school may have slightly different requirements and deadlines to apply for financial aid, so be sure to do your research! At the University of Denver, we require the FAFSA, the CSS PROFILE, and other documentation. Learn more on our website.

Create your FSA ID. An FSA ID gives you access to all of Federal Student Aid's online systems and serves as your legal signature for the FAFSA. You and your parent should each have your own FSA ID. It can take up to three days for the Social Security Administration to verify your information, so it's a good idea to complete this task now. Create your FSA ID online at https://fsaid.ed.gov.

Gather your financial documents. Having your and your parents' financial documents on hand will make the application process much easier. Useful documents include:

2015 income tax returns

2015 W-2 forms

2015 records of untaxed income and benefits

Records of savings, stocks, bonds, trusts and other investments

Business assets, if applicable

Current bank statements and mortgage information

It's also helpful to have your social security number, your parents' social security numbers, and your driver's license readily available when you fill out your financial aid applications.

Apply for private scholarships. Although this isn't a required part of the DU financial aid application, we highly encourage you to research and apply for as many private scholarships as you can. It's free money! Now is a great time to start looking, as many scholarship providers have fall and winter application deadlines. Get started with our scholarship search page.

Applying for financial aid doesn’t have to be scary! If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office at 303-871-4020 or finaid@du.edu. We’re here to help you!